PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF ENTEROCOCCAL SPECIES ISOLATED FROM CLINICAL SPECIMENS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE
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Keywords
Enterococcus species, Antibiotic susceptibility, Nosocomial infections, Vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Antimicrobial resistance
Abstract
Enterococci are increasingly recognized as significant nosocomial pathogens, with rising antimicrobial resistance complicating treatment. Understanding their prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns is critical for effective management.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Enterococcus species isolated from clinical specimens and to evaluate their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from January to August 2017 at the Institute of Microbiology, Madurai Medical College. A total of 396 clinical specimens from patients suspected of urinary tract infections, sepsis, wound infections, meningitis, and lower respiratory tract infections were processed. Enterococci were isolated, identified using conventional microbiological methods, and antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines.
Results: Out of 396 specimens, 368 showed bacterial growth, and 104 (28.26%) isolates were identified as Enterococcus species. E. faecalis was predominant (74.03%), followed by E. faecium (25.96%). The majority of isolates were from urine (46.15%), pus (28.84%), blood (9.6%), and wound swabs (15.38%). E. faecium exhibited higher resistance to antibiotics compared to E. faecalis. Ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and doxycycline showed reduced sensitivity, whereas glycopeptides (vancomycin and teicoplanin) retained high efficacy. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) constituted 3.8% of isolates.
Conclusions: Enterococcus species, particularly E. faecalis, remain prevalent nosocomial pathogens with significant antimicrobial resistance. Glycopeptides remain effective treatment options, but emerging resistance underscores the need for continuous surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, and strict infection control measures.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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Dr. J. Vijay Anand
Assistant Professor, Institute of Microbiology, Madurai Medical College, Madurai- 625020, Tamil Nadu, India.
Dr. Nalayini Samidurai
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Government Sivagangai Medical College Hospital, Sivaganga- 630561, Tamil Nadu, India.
Dr. S. Mahesh prabhu
Associate Professor, Institute of Microbiology, Madurai Medical College, Madurai- 625020, Tamil Nadu, India.